Marc Marquez is the center of attention as the 2024 MotoGP season begins.
This weekend’s season-opener in Qatar marks his first race on a Ducati after making the dramatic choice to leave Honda.
Marquez will ride a GP23 for Gresini Ducati this year, while his factory Ducati and Pramac opponents will use the improved ’24 version.
But can Marquez reverse the slump of the past few years?
Our journalists offer bold predictions for the eight-time world champion’s season.
Peter McLaren: In the top six, vying for the podium. Perhaps on it.
Robert Jones: Marc Marquez has been excellent in testing thus far, and a top five or even a podium finish does not look to be beyond of reach.
Jordan Moreland: Finishing in the top five or on the podium would be the perfect start.
Peter McLaren’s favourite tracks are those that run anticlockwise. Marquez has an unrivalled track record at COTA and Sachsenring, so anticipate something exceptional there. Other options are Aragon, Phillip Island, and Valencia.If Marquez wins races, he can compete for the crown, but so can 7-8 other people!
Robert Jones: I believe that Marquez will win eight races, including sprints, with his best results coming at COTA, Argentina, Le Mans, Sachsenring, Buriram, and Phillip Island.
Jordan Moreland: I believe Marc will win eight races, with more Grands Prix than Sprints. Marquez has previously excelled on well-known courses such as COTA, Sachsenring, and Aragon. Of certainly, he can win the championship! He wants a tenth World Championship.
Peter McLaren: I believe his sole penalty last year was for a collision with Miguel Oliveira at Portimao, which he caused by pushing the Honda too hard on the brakes. The Ducati should provide him a far wider cushion in fight than the Honda did.
We also noticed the more reasonable ‘only-take-risks-if-I-have-a-chance’ Marquez last season. But if a race victory is on the line, Marquez will not hesitate to assault. Especially considering he hasn’t won since 2021.
In recent years, some riders have expressed displeasure with towing during practice and qualifying. Marquez argued that it was due to the Honda’s nature, which lacked speed on a time attack, and that other RCVs behaved similarly. But we’ll see if Marquez maintains his tow-seeking at Ducati.
Robert Jones: Marquez’s fireworks will surely light up during the 2024 season, as he is likely to compete for race wins against other Ducati riders more frequently.
I believe Ducati will allow him to compete fairly, but team orders will be issued if he is not in contention for the title, which he may struggle to deal with given his lack of experience with such scenarios.
Jordan Moreland: Marc will undoubtedly ruffle some feathers with the other Ducati riders, which is what MotoGP requires to be honest.
However, because he is riding the same machinery, he will learn a lot from the other Ducati riders, and I believe he will be very savvy on track in clashes throughout the majority of the season.
Peter McLaren: It’ll be a major decision, and it will be interesting to see how long it takes him to make it. The longer he waits, the more accurately he can assess the competitiveness of each bike and team, including his own Gresini Ducati.
However, the longer he waits, the fewer possibilities will be accessible. If he’s fast and having fun at Gresini, which he stated was his major goal when leaving Honda, I wouldn’t be surprised if he stays there.
However, if winning a ninth title is his ultimate objective, he will undoubtedly benefit from joining a factory team, such as Ducati or KTM.
Robert Jones: If Marquez achieves anywhere near the level many expect in 2024, Ducati will want to keep him, and I believe that would imply a move to either the factory team or the Prima Pramac Ducati organization, where he would ride on the most recent machinery from the Bologna-based firm.
KTM might compete with Ducati if they want to make a big deal, but Marquez staying with Ducati is the most likely scenario.
Jordan Moreland: Hard to say; part of me believes he will stay with Gresini if all goes well and he enjoys himself. It is the ideal team setting for him because it is family oriented. But if Honda appears to be progressing with their bike for 2024, I might see Marquez returning to Honda for 2025!
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